Driving Connections: Local Lessons from the Road to Broadband Expansion

Broadband is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for economic opportunity, education, and community resilience. The Maine Connectivity Authority is meeting this need by investing in infrastructure through a deeply local, collaborative approach. In June 2025, MCA President Andrew Butcher's 900-mile journey across Maine in a 1984 Westfalia VW van affectionately named “Buttercup” offered more than scenic views—it offered a deep dive into the human side of digital connectivity. The tour, designed to engage local communities and observe broadband projects firsthand, highlighted a unique hypothesis: the more digitally connected we become, the more isolated we may feel as humans. Yet, the conversations, encounters, and collaborations revealed that connectivity, when paired with human engagement, is a powerful enabler of community and opportunity. Buttercup, with its retro charm, proved an unexpected bridge to conversation. From grizzled Harley riders to festival-goers, people were drawn to share their stories, dreams, and experiences. The van became a metaphor for connectivity itself—a way to bring people together in a state defined by vast distances, rugged terrain, and one of the highest concentrations of rural and aging populations in the United States. The Driving Connections Tour revealed a key insight for the telecommunications industry: broadband is not simply about technology—it’s about enabling human connections, educational opportunities, economic development, and equity.